Two Ford engineers from Lincoln Park, Michigan, have completed an extensive and unique modification project on a Lincoln Continental, transforming the traditionally luxurious sedan into a powerful, custom-built vehicle with a V-10 engine and manual transmission.
Diego Ugaz and Jack Parnoutsoukian, both mechanical engineers and colleagues at Ford, began the project after meeting at the University of California, Davis, where they studied mechanical engineering and participated in the university’s Formula SAE team. After graduating, they relocated to Michigan to work for Ford—Ugaz specializing in brake systems and Parnoutsoukian in battery systems. Outside their day jobs, the pair have pursued automotive builds from their home garages and maintain a YouTube channel called “Build It Yourself,” which they launched in 2022 and has grown to over 100,000 subscribers.
Their latest creation, a Lincoln Continental, underwent a significant transformation from its original configuration. The stock model featured a V-6 engine, front-wheel drive, and a six-speed automatic transmission. Ugaz and Parnoutsoukian replaced these with a 6.8-liter Triton V-10 engine, typically found in a Ford F-350 truck, paired with a manual transmission and rear-wheel drive. The swap required considerable custom fabrication, including rebuilding the engine multiple times due to mechanical challenges and altering the vehicle’s dimensions inside the cabin and under the hood to accommodate the new components.
“Everything else we custom-made,” Ugaz explained, noting that aside from the engine block and crankshaft sourced from the F-350, much of the engine was rebuilt by them. The interior also saw changes to fit the manual shifter, which replaced the automatic and required sacrificing the center cup holders for installation space.
The project spanned approximately 2,000 hours across three years, with the engineers balancing the demands of their Ford careers and their passion for automotive customization. Parnoutsoukian highlighted the inspiration behind choosing the Continental, citing an appreciation for its understated, elegant design and a belief that it had not received enough recognition among enthusiasts.
Despite the aggressive modifications, the car retains some of Lincoln’s trademark refinement, including an air suspension system that preserves a smooth ride despite the increased 495 horsepower output and the throaty rumble of the V-10 engine. The contrast between the vehicle’s powerful performance and its luxurious character is a defining feature of the build.
When asked about selling the car, both Ugaz and Parnoutsoukian described it as invaluable, emphasizing the personal effort invested. “Putting a price on it is something we haven’t even considered,” Ugaz said. They see the car as a one-of-a-kind project that holds too much sentimental and creative value to be sold.
Their work reflects a broader trend among automotive enthusiasts in repurposing classic or luxury vehicles with modern, sometimes unconventional powertrains and drivetrains, combining engineering knowledge with hands-on craftsmanship. As their YouTube channel continues to grow, Ugaz and Parnoutsoukian plan to pursue further builds showcasing similar ingenuity.